Royal Challengers Bangalore players celebrate their victory
Royal Challengers Bangalore players celebrate their victory. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
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Dubai: Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, will be desperate to end their jinx with the Indian Premier League title as they start their campaign in the 13th edition against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dubai International Stadium today.

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The presence of Kohli, alongwith AB de Villiers and now Aaron Finch, tends to tilt the batting strength in favour of Challengers – but records show that alone is not enough to win titles. Sunrisers, despite being little short in star quality, are a well knit side and have an extremely competitive captain in David Warner. The 2016 champions, Sunrisers also enjoy a head-to-head advantage of 8-6 wins against their rivals from the southern part of India.

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Vijay Shankar
Vijay Shankar of Sun Risers Hyderabad is clean bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
Sun Risers Hyderabad's batsman Jonny Bairstow in action.
Sun Risers Hyderabad batsman Jonny Bairstow in action. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
Manish Pandey
Sun Risers Hyderabad batsman Manish Pandey hits a boundary. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli chatting with pacer Navdeep Saini.
Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli chatting with pacer Navdeep Saini. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
Royal Challengers Bangalore players celebrate the wicket of David Warner of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Royal Challengers Bangalore players celebrate the wicket of David Warner of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI

A good start will help Hyderabad win

The Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chase will go down to the wire. The target of 164 runs is not beyond the side that starts with skipper David Warner and Johnny Bairstow. And their performance will determine their success in the game.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s total of 163 was built on the excellent opening wicket partnership of 90, which pivoted around Devdutt Padikkal’s 56 off 42. AB de Villiers provided the final flourish with 51 off 30 balls.

Hyderabad did well to pull RCB back after that initial blitz. Full marks to Warner and his bowlers. Some excellent fielding too, except for that Rashid Khan miss.

RCB has a good bowling pack spearheaded by Dale Steyn. Some early wickets and another cliffhanger can’t be ruled out.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Sun Risers Hyderabad bowls. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
AB de Villiers of Royal Challengers Bangalore plays a shot.
AB de Villiers of Royal Challengers Bangalore plays a shot. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Sun Risers Hyderabad bowls.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Sun Risers Hyderabad bowls. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
Padikkal was clearly in the moods, reaching his fifty in a little over 30 balls.
Devdutt Padikkal hits a boundary. Image Credit: Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI
Devdutt Padikkal came roaring out of the blocks, racking up the runs in the opening four overs without loss.
Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal chat in the middle. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
SRH won the toss and put RCB into bat. Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal opened for Bangalore, who are still searching for their first IPL title.
Aaron Finch in action. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered a big blow when bowler Mitchell Marsh came off injured after an awkward fall.
Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered a big blow when bowler Mitchell Marsh came off injured after an awkward fall. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
David Warner and Virat Kohli are seen during the toss.
David Warner and Virat Kohli are seen during the toss. Image Credit: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Dubai International Cricket Stadium all ready to host the match 3 of IPL between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Image Credit: Samuel Rajkumar/Sportzpics for BCCI
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Dubai International Cricket Stadium all ready to host the match 3 of IPL between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Image Credit: Samuel Rajkumar/Sportzpics for BCCI

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